Simmering, Margaret Atwood: Summary & Analysis

‘Simmering’ is a captivating short story written by the esteemed Canadian author and poet, Margaret Atwood (born 1939). First published in Atwood’s 1983 collection, Murder in the Dark, the story can be classified as flash fiction, micro-fiction, or even prose poetry. In this imaginative tale, Atwood presents an alternative universe where traditional gender roles surrounding cooking are reversed, depicting a society where men primarily take on the role of cooks while women pursue careers outside the home. Plot Summary The story unfolds through a third-person narrator, describing a unique world where men have developed a strong affinity for cooking. Initially, they start by taking charge of barbecues in their backyards, but gradually they venture into more extensive culinary endeavors, ultimately dominating the cooking domain in this fictional society. On the other hand, women grow weary of baking, leading them to willingly cede control of this aspect of food preparation to men. Fueled by …